Straight bar knitting machine and a method for operating same



Feb. 5, 1952 F. LAMBACH 2,584,136

STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE AND A METHOD FOR OPERATING SAME Filed Nov. 26, 1947 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY.

Feb. 5, 1952 F. LAMBACH 2,584,136

STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHTNE AND A METHOD FOR OPERATING SAME Filed Nov. 26, 1947 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 T i l `l .f I L 410 I'/ .-l

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE ANDA METHOD FOR OPERATING SAME Filed Nov. 26, 1947 F. LAMBACH Feb. 5, 1952 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

FRITZ LAMBACH-- ATTORNEY.

Feb. 5, 1952 F. LAMBACH 2,584,136

STRAIGHT BAR KNl-TTING MACHINE AND A METHOD FOR OPERATING SAME Filed Nov. 26, 1947 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

FmTz I AMBACH ATTORNEY.

F. LAMBACH Feb. 5, 1952 STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE AND A METHOD FOR OPERATING SAME 9 sheets-sheet 5 Filed Nov. 26, 1947 INVENTOR.

FRITZ I AMBCH F. LAMBACH Feb. 5, 1952 STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE AND A METHOD FOR OPERATING SAME 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Nov. 26, 1947 kow @QN Ill BNN

I i IH;

INVENTOR.

FRn'z LAMBACH ATTORNEY.

Feb. 5, 1952 F LAMBACH 2,584,136

STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE AND A METHOD FOR OPERATING SAME Filed Nov. 26, 1947 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 272 IIIIIil /84 FIG. l2

806 E 59E 272 274 Imi Il! I -248 l /04 288 AI" IIIII I 26o .III 258 n 282 @|294 854B) 286 I 352 I., 2 254 252258 258 if 8929# /ZfFICl|./1266268/64 D 25?.".`l l 1:' lu n I II LII/y' I t; V258' 294 254 56 /48 V 'F ofex' TT I wef- FIG. I3. /04' 286|.:- -ff 288 98 l, 22 I 984,282 I .f M sf 280 3l 3 INVENTOR 41V 352 286 304 ATTORNEY FRITZ LAMBACH,

Feb- 5, 1952 F. LAMBACH 2,584,136

STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE AND A METHOD FOR OPERATING SAME Filed Nov. 26, 1947 9 Sheets-Sheetl 8 v INVENTOR. FRITZ LAMBACH S 3 i@ 9' I" Si ATTORNEY.

` FebS 1952 F. LAMBACH STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE AND A METHOD FOR OPERATING SAME Filed Nov. 2e, 1947 A 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 nw. 2 2g w www.

O M flo. 5 3 3 2 INVENTOR.

FmTz I AMBACH Wj ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 5, 1952 iran saires sTRAidH'r-nmmmrTINGfMAor-HNE ann A M Ernon .Fon creanme sans 35 Claims: l.. The present invention relates toY ki'iitti'ng'niachin'e's, and more'particularly to a straightba'r knitting machine or full-fashioned knitting'niachine v An object of the present'invention is to provide a straightbar knitting machine whereinr certainoperations' are' ni'ad'e automaticV so' as to save on time for the manufacture of stocking blanks.

A further object or the present invention' is'to provide a straight' barlnitting nacl'i'ir'ie',- wherein certain manual operations', which iniglfitbeV the causel oiflfaults in the knittedfabric, arerplaced by automatic operations;

A further 'o'b'je'ct' ci the present invention' is" to equip a straight bar'.V` knitting machine' with' mechanisms facilitating the operationsy o'f` the Welt-turn;

Another object o'f theV present invention is" to provide a straight barknittin'gmachine; wherein'v the' fabric is permanently heldY underwension during the p'eriormance'of the" Welt-turn and. A

transfer' of theloops ofthe fabricfro'mV tl'ewelthooksonto the needles. v i

With the above and other object'so'f theine' vention in' view, thein'vention consists'ii'n the' novel methods, construction, arrangementv and combination of various' devices', elements and parts, as` setforth' in theclaims hereof, certaiii em'lcodirn'entsV of 'the same being described inl the' specincation and being illustrated inthe accom: panyingdrawings forming part of Ythis specifica-- tion, wherein: v

Fig. l is a somewhat dia'grammatica-l' front`r elevational View of a straight bar'knitting maj-A chine according to the invention, wherein onlyV those` partsV are" shown, which are necessaryvfo'i the understanding ofr the'invention, I

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view'taken on line' 2-2l of Fig. l,

Fig. .aisan elevational View; parnyin section',y

of an actuating device-of the'knittingniachi-ne' accordingv toY the invention,

Fig. 4is a top plan' View` of the-actuating defvice shown in Fig.` 3,-

yFig. Slis a verticalsectional viewtakenfoillirie 5:-5 of Fig; l, said Fig. Y5illustrating an'afuto'-V matic control for' lockingand 'r'elea'sin'g thetake# up' device, I

Fig. 6 is a'sectional View takenlon lin'eGl--B'ot machine,

Fig. 7 isfa frontelevational viewfof thef-takeeupA trollingm'echanism'for controllingthe tension to beV applied to the' take-up reel,

Fig. 1'()A is a rear elevational-View along line;

m-l our Fig'. 9.

Fig. 11 is a vertical'sectionalview takenon line'HLl Eo'f Fig. 1,v said Fig. 11 illustrating the mechanism' for drawing off the fabric by the welt-barV andl take-up reel,

Fig-z 12' is" a fragmentary" top plan viewof Fig. 11,

Fig.v 13 isan illustration of a portion of the" mechanism shown in Fig. 11- in an'enlarged scale# Fig. 14^is `asectional View taken on line Ili--lll of-Fig l, said Fig. 14 illustrating the elementsl of the'draw'in'gf-off rnechan'ismsv in a differentv position,

Fig. 15 isa; sectional View substantially corresponding tothe sectional-view shown in Fig. 1li,V wherein,l however-1 the elements of the drawing-- off mechanisms are shown inra'diiferent position andv wherein`V af mechanism for amanual advancin'gv of-v the-knocking-over bar is shown,-

Fig. 16 is a sectional viewsubstantially corresponding to Fig; 15 wherein.v the` variousl ele mentsand' partsiare shownin a position during the-performanceofV ai Welt-turn, and

Fig'.V 17 is a side elevational view'of the take- 11p-reel with a'portion of the' fabric wound thereon.'Y Y

Referring` nowV to' Figs; 1 and 2,39 generally. indicatesr the :frame of' a two-section straightbar knittingv machine. bracketv 34" carried by the framev of the knitting machinel is yconnected. through a train of gearsiStl with the main cam shaft 3c rotatably arranged in suitable bearingsA of the frame ofth'eimachine.

401 generally'I indicates aV pattern chain carryl ingfaseriesof buttons 42 for the control of cer-v tain mechanisms o1" thefknitting machine. Dur'- ingrthe'ioper'ation o tn'eY machine, 1 the pattern chai-n is intermittently advanced in a manner known" per se by any/(suitable mechanism actuated 1 by acamf keyed -to "the main cam shaft? 38.

Eachrow of buttons@K mounted on thel patternchain ll'' in apredetermined manner is arranged for cooperation with a swingable spring-y loadedjaclr fld'of a series of jacks.' Each jack Vis connected through wires, levers vand rods Withay controllingmechanism of the knitting machine. Fig; 2 illustrates -only the connection ofonejackf- 44: A Wirewd secured to saidfvjack 44W ispivotally connected with the lower end of a i 1ever--48'secured-to the-left-hand end- (as viewedA A motor' 32T mounted on aV in Fig. 2) of a rod 50 rockably mounted in bearings 52 secured to the frame 30 of the machine. A lever 54 secured at its lower end to the righthand end of the rockable rod 50 is pivotally connected at its upper end with one end of a wire 56 (see Figs. 2, 3 and 4). The other end of said wire 56 is pivotally connected with one arm 58 of a controlling element or controlling latch 60 swingably mounted on a pivot 62 projecting upwardly from the base 64 of a block 66 being substantially of U-shaped cross-section. Said block 66 swingably mounted on a shaft 68 and held in its position by set-collars carries an adjustable stop screw 12 capable of cooperation with a shaft '|4 of the machine. A spring 'I6 stretched between a downward extension '|8 of said block 66 and a stationary point 80 of the machine tends to urge said stop screw l2 against said shaft 14, whereby the block 66 is held in a substantially horizontal position.

Furthermore, a double-armed spring-loaded follower 82 carrying a roller 84 is swingably mounted on the shaft 68 between the side walls 86 of the U-shaped block 66. The roller 84 of the cam follower 82 cooperates with a cam 88 keyed to the main cam shaft 68.

During the operation of the machine, the arm 90 of the cam follower 82 may freely rock Within the U-shaped block 66, held in its position by the spring 16, in accordance with the shape of the cam 88 engaged with the roller 84 of the follower 82, as long as the controlling element 6,8 is in the inactive position shown in full lines in Fig. 4. As soon as, however, the rod 50 (Fig. 2) is rocked in the direction of the arrow A owing to an actuation of the spring-loaded jack 44 by a button 42 on the pattern chain 40, the lever 54 connected to said rod 50 is brought from the full line position shown in Fig. 4 into the dash and dot line position 54', whereby the controlling element 60 is swung in counter-clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 4) into an active position wherein its upward extension 92 is below an abutment 94 arranged on the arm 90 of the cam follower 82. As soon as said controlling element 60 is thus brought into said active position, the next downward rocking of the arm 90 of the cam follower 82 caused by the rise on the cam 88 results in a swinging of the block 66 against the action of the spring 16 in counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3. When the cam follower 82 returns into the position shown in Fig. 3 and, consequently, the arm 00 of said cam follower 82 is lifted, the block 66 follows said movement of the arm 90 in clockwise direction by the action of the spring 76 until the stop screw 'l2 hits against the shaft 14. Now, when the rod 50 (Fig. 2) rocked in the direction of the arrow B owing to a disengagement of the button V42 on the advancing pattern chain from the springloaded jack 44 connected with the rod 50, the lever 54 is returned into its full-line position shown in Fig. 4, whereby the controlling element 60 is returned into its inactive position wherein its upward extension 02 is out of the path of the abutment 94 on the arm 90 of the cam follower 82, so that the latter may again freely rock without influence on the block 66.

The downward extension 18 of said block 6.6

is pivotally connected at 96 with one end of a rod 98, the other end of which is pivotally connected at |00 with an arm |02 secured to a rotatable shaft |04. Two pairsof pushing elementsV |06 are secured to said shaft |04 for a purpose to be described hereinafter. Apparently, an oscillation of the block 66 by the cam follower 82 in the manner described above causes an oscillation of the pushing elements |86.

As best shown in Figs.' 1 and 2, a control shaft |08 is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings of the frame 30 of the machine. A series of controlling cams is rigidly connected with said control shaft. Each controlling cam is used for the control of a certain mechanism of the machine. The drawings illustrate only twoof said controlling cams, the controlling cam ||0 and ||2. The control shaft |08 is intermittently advanced through the medium of a ratchet-wheel mechanism I4, which is actuated by a connecting rod ||6 connected with a U-shaped block of an actuating drive of the type described above in connection with Figs. 3 and 4. Of course, the controlling element swingably mounted in the U- shaped block of said actuating drive is controlled by a row of buttons mounted on the pattern chain 40 for cooperation with a spring-loaded jack 44. A detailed description of the mechanism advancing Vintermittently said control shaft |88 may be found in my co-pending U. S. patent application Ser. #743,938 filed April 25, 1947, now Patent No. 2,574,487, for A Straight Bar Knitting Machine.

The controlling cam ||0 (see Figs. l and 5) cooperates with a spring-loaded cam follower I8 swingably mounted on a shaft |28. Said cam follower I8 is pivotally connected with the lower end of a connecting rod |22, the upper end of which is pivoted aty |24 to one arm of a bell-crank lever |26 swingably mounted on a stud |28 carried by the frame 30 of the machine. The other arm of said bell-crank lever |28 is pivotally connected at |30 with one end of a rod |32. The other end of said rod |32 being bent is in lslidable engagement with a slot |34 of a locking latch |36 swingably mounted on a stationary part of the machine at |38. A tension spring |40 stretched between thelocking latch |36 and a stationary portion o-f the machine frame tends to urge the hook of the latch |36 into engagement with a notch |42 of a collar |44 rigidly connected with a locking shaft |46 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings of the frame of the machine, when the linkage IIB, |22, |26, |32 is in the posi- 'tion shown in full lines. As soon as, upon an advancing of the control shaft |38, the high portion of the controlling cam H8 comes into engagement with the cam follower |8, the latter is brought into the position I8 shown in dash and dot lines, whereby the bell-crank lever |26 is brought into the dash and dot line position |26 and, consequently, the locking latch |36 is swung against the action of the spring |48 into the releasing position |36 wherein its hook is disengaged from the notch |42 of the collar |44. Such a disengagement of the locking latch |36 from the notch |42 of the collar |44 results in a release of the locking shaft |46 for a purpose to be described hereinafter. When, after several intermittent advancing movements of the control shaft |08, thevcam follower ||8 comes again into engagement with the dwell of the controlling cam ||0, the linkage H8, |22, |26, |32 is returned into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 5. 1f at this time the round portion of the collar |44 should be opposite the hook of the locking latch |36, so that the latter cannot come immediately into engagement with the notch |42, the spring |40 will urge the locking latch |36 against the collar |44 and the bent portion of the rod |32 may slide in the slot |34. As soon as the notch definisci |||`|iwilly comeoppositeito' thehook oi the-locking latch"A 36 lowingv to fa rota-tion'of the locking fsii'aftf |46, the hook of 'saidlocking latch Mii-'may auto-` maticallyl snap' into said-notch |42 by the action. of" the tension springv |40.

Asi bestshown iii-Figs. l and'- 2, thelcontrolling cam ||2 secured to theY control shaft |08- cooperates with a springeloaded cam; follower |48: swingably mounted on the shaft |28.V The upper arm of said'vv cam followerA lislpivotallycon# nected with lone end ofla connectingrodl; the other endlofwhich has aiben't' portion slidablyr engaged with afslot` |52v (see Figs. 2 and 6-8) of a releasing'element |54 swingably but axially im@ movablyfarranged on ay take-up'shaft |56I jour-y nalledinl suitable'bearingsl of the frame 0I"- the machine: Theireleasingelement |54'is under the action of'a spring i5@ stretchedbetween-saidref' leasing' element anda stationary/point of the machine, which tendsto `urge said releasing element |54*4 into thev position shown in full vlines in Figs. 6"and8. When, during 'the operation ofthe machine, the rise of thecam ||2 is brought into engagement with thecam follower |48, the latter causes a movement of the'oonnecting rod |5'0-in the-direction ofthe arrow'C. whereby the releasing` element |54' is swungV from'its full line inactive p osition into itsdash and dot' line active position |54 against the-`action of the spring forapurpose to be described hereinafter. When, during the operation ofthe machine, the controlling camj ||2 is further advanced so asV to cause'adisengagementof its risefrom the cam follower' |46, the connecting rod 56 is retainedv into the position'shown in Fig. and the reieas ing' element |54'will belreturned intofits full line inactive position by the'action of the spring As best shown in Fig. 1, thel take-up shaft |56' carries two take-uprcels |60-, one for each sectionof the knitting machine. There is a' collar |62`on each sideof each take-up reel |60. One end of a strap |64 (see Figs. '7, 11 and 12") is rigidly connected` with each collar |62 for apurpose to b'edescribed hereinafter.v Furthermore, as best shown in Figs. '7, 1l and'l2, each take-upreel li and collar |62" is rigidly connected with thetake up shaft |56 by screws or the like. Moreover, as best'show'n in Figs. 1 and 7 a collar |66 is rigidiy connected with said take-up shaft |55 by a screw orthe like. A ratchet-wheel i68is rotatably-but axially immovablyarranged von the take-.up shaft' |56 at a distance from said collar |66. The ends` of "a torsion springY woundaro-und saidtake upshaft |56 and interposed between said collar |66 and said ratchetiwheel |68 are positively engaged vwith said collar |66 and' ratchet wheel |68. The ratchetwheel" |68 may-be advanced step vby step in theldirection of the arrow' D by a .springloaded-actuating pawl |12 mounted on anvarm |14 lof a bell-crank actuating lever |16 swingably but axially immovably mounted on the take-up shaft-|56. The other arm |18 of said bell-crank. actuating lever is'connected with one `end of an actuating tension spring iB, the'other end off which is connected with the hook-like end of a tension adjusting rod |8-2'movably arranged in the machine. y

Thev arm |18: of the bell-crank actuating lever |16'carriesv a pin |84 slidably engaged with a'n elongated slot |86 arranged at one end of a tension restoring rod |88, theother end of which is" pivotedto an arm |90 keyedto a needlebar shaftv |925.v Said needle bar'shaftrl82 isv oscillated byl'a needle-'bar` shaftdrive` (noti shown) infa'@ manner! known'l pier' se during .the foperationi. of;

;- -tion-against--the action y*ofl the torsion spring |101 byl means of a spring-loaded lockingE p'awlY 94! c'arriedvfb'y a' stud |961l secured tol a1ug|98 ofth'ef frariie30'ofthefmachine.

Apparently;A the!l bell-crank" actuatinglever |16 carrying thek actuating pawl |12v may bef-swung inl thedirection` off the arrowl D bythe action'vv of'thei tensionactuating spring |80 when" the" tension restoring rod' |881 isvn'ioved infleft-han'dldirection;y (a's viewedl in"v Fig216l` into the position? shown indash-l and dot'V line'sandwhen atvthisf time the'tension of said tensionactuating spring; |304i is Vlarger than the tension ofV the torsion spring |10 connected with the ratchet-wheel |68 andthe-'set-collar` |66 to the=` take-up'shaft |56 carrying -theitake-up -reelarranged for takingl up'fab'r-ic knitted by'f the machine.l Depending@ on the' degree of the difference in the'tensionf between the tension actuating spring I and the. torsion spring' |10,- therat'chet-wheel |68will bef advanced-one or more' steps' corresponding" to thevv toothcaught 'by the 'actuating pawl |12 for ten-` sioning the torsion spring! |a'nd`" applying'tension to thetake-upfre'el |60.- Whenthetension restoring rod lai-isfreturned'from the dash and! dotline position towards the rightinto thefull-l linepositi'onshownfin Fig; 61 the bell-crank actu-'f4 ating "lever |16 will be swungl` in the'direction of the'y arrow E -by the cooperation --of the left-hand' edgeicfthe slot |86' with thev pin |84 mounted' on'` thearm |18,.wherebythe-tension of theltension'f actuating spring' |80 is restored.` Thenex-t ad`-- va-ncing'of the' 'ratchet -wheel |68 will occur onlyafter the'tension'of theA tension actuating'springl |80`= exceedsL the tension of the torsion` spring |105; although the tension restoring rod |88Y isf permanently reciprocatedand the left-hand edgev offits -slot |861'is disengaged from the'pin' |84-at" iritervals.-

Apparently, the tension applied to the take-up" reel |60depends'on the tension or'torque of the torsion spring |10; which', in' turn,- dependsor the`- tension of the* tension actuating spring |80'.` It'fiisj desirable* thatr theY t'ensio'n applied to the' takeup reel* |601'- drawing off a' full-fashioned fabric?. for' example; a* stocking blank, from ,the`J needles of" the machine" is automatically altered at predetermined intervals vin dependence-'on the progress of the knitting of the* full'--f'a'sliionedY` fabric'. For example',jif, during" theknittingof a full-fashioned'v stocking blank; the width' there` of Vis reduced, thetension appliedgto the takeeup reel should be' reduced inproportion', andcifthe width of the stocking blankknittedy issomewhat increased at a certain part'of thestock'ingblank the' tension applied' to thef takehup" reelshou'ld' be proportionally increased. In orde'1""to'obtain'v this automatic'adjustment ofthe" tension ap'p'lie'dl to thetake-up ree1` in dependenceV on-the'widthl of the fabric knitted, the followingv adjusting.. mechanism is arranged-l` in the'machine:

In Figs. 1,. 2,.9 and10,.20'0 indicates arcarrier;` spindle rotatably arranged.V inthe `frame'oftheT machine.- Said carrier spindle-200 may be-intermittently rotatedrin either direction by a suite able carrier spindle' drive known per se.r (not shown in the drawings). The' carrierv spindle- 200 has: two threaded.: portions, one having; ai' left-hand.v thread` andthefother having arrightfhand thread.r Each threadedportio'n of .theycai-'f riers spindle i200 .isn-engaged.: with a1 threaded-bora of a so-called carrier spindle nut 202 carrying limiting means (not shown in the drawings) for limiting the strokes of reciprocable carrier rods 204 indicated in Fig. 2, which are reciprocated at predetermined intervals by an actuating drive pending U. S. patent application Ser. #743,938

led on April 25, 1947, for A Straight Bar Knit-` ting Machine?) Each carrier spindle nut 202 has a recess 2|0 (see Figs. 2 and 9) engaged with a stationary guiding rod 2|2 carried by the frame of the machine. Therefore, when, during the operation of the machine a so-called forwardracking of the carrier spindle 200 is carried out, the carrier spindle nuts 202 are moved forwardly towards each other, and when a so-called backracking of the carrier spindle 200 is carried out, the carrier spindle nuts 202 are moved backwardly, away from each other. As the position of the carrier spindle nuts 202 determines the length of stroke of the carrier rods, it is in a definite relation to the width of the fabric knitted.

The right-hand carrier spindle nut 202 (as viewed in Fig. l) carries two holding bars 2I4 rigidly secured thereto by screws 2|6 (see Figs. 9 and 10),. A bar 2|8 having an upper cam surface is rigidly connected with said holding bars 2|4 by screws or the like. The cam surface of said bar or cam 2|8 is in slidable engagement with a pin 220 mounted on a Cam follower 222 swingably arranged at 224 ona block 226 secured to the frame 30 of the machine. Said swingable cam follower 222 is pivotally connected at its end opposite the pivot 224 to the upper `end of a connecting rod 228, Ythe lower end of which is pivoted to an -arm 230 of a bell-crank lever 232 swingably mounted on a 4shaft 234 carried by the frame of the machine. The other arm 236 of said bell-crank lever 232 is pivotally connected at 238 with one end of above mentioned tension adjusting rod |62, which at its other end is engaged with the tension actuating spring |80.

.. When the carrier spindle nut 202 is in the position shown in full lines in Fig. l0, the stroke of theV carrier rod or rods is limited in such a way that the fabric knitted by the knitting implements of the machine has a certain width; at the same time, the cam 2 |8 positively coupled with the carrier spindle nut 202 by the holding bars 2|4 holds the cam follower 222 in the upwardly inclined position best shown in Fig. l0. Consequently, the bell-crank lever 232 connected with the cam follower 222 through the connecting rod 228 is in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 9. When the bell-crank lever 2 32 is in said position shown in full lines in Fig. 9, the hook-like endof the tension adjusting rod |82 is in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 6, whereby the tension of the tension actuating spring |30 is adjusted to a certain degree required for applying a certain tension to the take-up reel |68 when the fabric knitted is of a width determined by the position of the carrier spindle nut 202 shown in full lines in Fig. l0. Now, when during the knitting cycle, owing to intermittent forward-racking of the carrier spindle 280, the carrier spindle nut 202 isV brought into the position 202' shown in dash and dot lines in Fig. 10, the width of the fabric knitted is reduced. At the same time, the cam follower 222 is brought into the substantially horizontal position 222', which, in turn, causes a rocking of the cell-crank lever 232 into the dash and dot line position 232 shown in Fig. 9. Consequently, the tension adjusting rod |62 is moved into the position |82' shown in dash and dot lines in Fig. 6, whereby the length of the tension actuating spring |80 and thus the tension thereof is reduced, so that, in turn, the tension applied to the takeup reel |60 by means of the torsion spring |10 is reduced in proportion to the reduced width of the fabric knitted. It will be readily understood that, if, during a knitting cycle the carrier spindle nut 202 is back-racked to a certain degree for a certain increase in the` width of the fabric at an intermediate portion of its length, the cam 2|8 will cause a lifting of the cam follower 222 to a certain degree with the result of a certain increase in the tension of the tension actuating spring |80 by a certain displacement of the tension adjusting rod |82.

According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 10, the upper surface of the cam 2 8 cooperating with the pin 220 of the cam follower 222 is of irregular curved form. Preferably, the shape of the cam surface is selected in such a manner, that it takes care of an adjustment of the cam follower 222 and, through the latter, of the tension adjusting rod |82 as may be required by the presence of reinforcing yarn in the fabric knitted. Moreover, in a preferred embodiment, the cam 2|8 is detachably mounted on the holding bars 2|4 so that'it may be replaced by a cam having a different cam surface, if a different type of stocking is knitted or if a stocking is knitted of a yarn of different strength.

As best shown in Fig. 6, the actuating pawl |12 and the locking pawl |94 are normally held in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel |68 by the springs acting on said pawls. The locking pawl |84 prevents a rotation of the ratchet wheel |68 in the direction of the arrow E under the action of the torsion spring |18 when the locking pawl |94 is engaged with a tooth of the ratchet wheel |68. The releasing element |54 (see Figs. 6 8) is rotatably arranged on the take-up shaft |56 for cooperation with said actuating pawl |12 and locking pawl |84. As best shown in Fig. 8, said releasing element |54 is substantially in the shape of a disc having an arm240 provided with the slot |52 and a hand lever 242. The disc-like portion of said releasing element |54 has a recess 244 for cooperation with the actuating pawl |72 and a recess 246 for cooperation with the locking pawl |94. As long as the pawls |72 and |94 are in engagement with said recesses 244 and 246, said pawls may also come into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel |68 as shown in Fig. 6. As soon as, in the manner described above, at the end of a knitting cycle, the rod |50 is automatically m-oved in the direction of the arrow C, the releasing element |54 is moved in the direction of the arrow D into the dash and dot line position |54 whereby the high round portions of the disc-like member adjacent the recesses 244 and 2556 come into engagement with the actuating pawl i' and locking pawl |94, thus lifting `same out of engagement with the teeth ofthe ratchet wheel |68, so that the take-up reel |60Y is released for a winding-off of the fabric.

When, vat the beginning of a knitting cycle, the rod |50 is automatically returned into the position vshown `in Fig.6and the spring |58 returns assaise l 1 sion springs 260 connected with the sliding elements 258 move said sliding Velements away from the needles, so that the welt-bar 252 gripped between the sliding elements 258 is, likewise, moved v away from the needles for drawing-off the fabric knitted by the knitting implements of the machine. Shortly before the welt-bar 252 reaches its eXtreme position limited by an abutment of the left-hand edges of the slots 256 of the sliding elements 258 against the guidingand stop pins 254, the right-hand edge 308 of the weltbar 252 (see Fig. 13) abpts against the nose 310 of the spring-loaded releasing lever 298 projecting into its path. During the continuation of the 'drawing-off of the fabric by the welt-bar 252, the releasing lever 298 is brought by the edge 308 of the welt bar 252 into the releasing position 298 against the action cf the tension spring 304 shown in dash and dot lines in Fig. 13. This movement of the releasing lever 238 into the re- L leasing position 258 causes a swinging movement of the holding element 286 into the releasing position 286 shown in dash and dot lines in Fig. 13 through the medium of the connecting rod 294. As soon as the holding element 286 is brought into said releasing position 286', the welt rod 306 drops onto the fabric 3|2 (see Fig. 14), which is drawn off by the welt-bar 252. When said welt-rod 306 drops onto said fabric 3|2 its ends become engaged with guiding channels 3|4 arranged on the inside of each supporting element 248. Now, after above described release of the welt-rod 308 but still before the sliding elements 258 and the welt-bar 252 reach the end position shown in Fig. 14, which is limited by an abutment of the left-hand edges of the slots 256 against the guidingand stop pins mounted on the supporting elements 248, the locking shaft |46 (see Figs. 5 and 14) is automatically released by the controlling mechanism ||0, H8, |22, |26, |32 bringing the locking latch |36 into the releasing position |36', so that now the tension accumulated in the torsion spring |10 (see Fig. 7) by the previous intermittent advancing of the ratchet wheel |68 may become active and cause a sudden rotation of the collars |62 with the result that a portion of the straps |64 is wound on said collars |62 and, consequently, the hooks 218 are suddenly brought from the position shown in dash and dot lines in Fig. 14 into engagement with the welt-rod 306 as shown in full lines in said Fig. 14. As now the locking shaft |46 remains released forV a predetermined period, the take-up drive shown in When a suflicient length of Vfabric'has been knitted, so that the so-called welt-turn can be made, the machine is stopped. Thereafter, the

Y welt bar 252 is removed by hand from the supporting elements 248 and placed into holding guides 3|6 arranged on the brackets 280 (see Figs. 15 and 16). During this manual operation, the fabric 3 I2 is somewhat stretched against the action of the torsion spring |10 acting on the take-up shaft |56 and the straps |64. The weltrod 306 remains engaged with the hooks 218 on said straps |64. In order to transfer the loops of the fabric 3|2 hanging on the stems of the welt-hooks 210 onto the needles 250, the needles are brought into a forwardly inclined position 250 (see Fig. 16) by a mechanism known per se. According to the invention, the knocking-over bits 3|8 carried by a knocking-over bar 320 secured to a knocking-over frame 322 may also be advanced or laid out towards the welt-hooks from the position shown in Fig. 15 into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 16. This feature may be obtained by the following mechamsm:

' As best shown in Fig. 15, an arm 324 keyed to a rockable vertical knocking-over shaft 326 is pivotally connected at 321 with a vertical bar 328 rigidly connected with the knocking-over frame 322. The rockable vertical knocking-over shaft 325 is oscillated in a manner known per by a suitable actuating drive (not shown). Furthermore, an arm 330 keyed to a horizontal knocking-over shaft 332 is pivotally connected at 333 with a link 334 having a hook 336.A Said hook 336 is loosely engaged withl a stud or pin 338 mounted on the vertical bar 328. The hook 335 and pin 338 are held in engagement with each other by a tension spring 340 stretched between the vertical bar 328 and an extension 342 having a series of holes 344 for adjustment of the tension of the tension spring 340. The horizontal knocking-over shaft 332 is oscillated by an actuating drive known per se (not shown). During the operation of the machine, when the hookand pin connection 336, 338 is in engagement as shown in Fig. 15, the vertical bar 328 imparts upand down movements to the knocking-over bits 3|8 and the link 334 imparts forward- Vand backward movements to the knocking-over Figs. 6-8 may remain effective vand may cause a drawing-off of the fabric by the hooks 218 attached to the straps |64 secured to the collars |62 positively coupled with the take-up reel |60 and take-up shaft |56. Thus, the drawing-off of bits 3|8 in a coordinated relationship as known per se.

A handle 346 for a manual disengagement of the hookand pin connection 336,338 during a standstill of the machine is rigidly connected with the link 334. Furthermore, the link 334 is provided with a rst recess 348 adjacent the hook v336 and with a second recess 350 at a certain the fabric 3|2 is automatically transferred from the welt-bar 252 to the take-up shaft |56 carrying the take-up reel |50 and set collars |62.

Shortly after the gripping of the welt-rod 306 by the hooks 218 on the straps |64, the sliding elements 258 and the welt-bar reach the position shown in Fig. 14, which, as mentioned above, is limited by the stop pins 254 (see Fig. 13). Therefore, the welt bar 252 remains in the extreme position shown in Fig. 14. Now, when the fabric is drawn-off by the straps |64 connectedv to the take-up reel |60 and the take-up drive, the welt-rod 306 is guided by the guiding channels 3|4 below and under the now stationary welt-bar 252, so that a loop of the fabric 3|2 is formed around the welt-rod 306 as shown in Fig. 15.

distance from the first recess 348 for a purpose to be described hereinafter. t

When the machine is at a standstill and the welt-turn is to be performed, the handle 345 is swung about the pivot 333 whereby the link 334 is brought from the position shown in Fig. 15 into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 16. This movement of the link 334 results in a disengagement of its hook 336 from the pin 338 on the vertical bar 323. The vertical bar 328 swings Aabout the pivot 321 under the action of the spring 36d. When the lever 346 is lifted only into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 16, the pin 338 will snap into the recess 348 of the link 334 which acts as an abutting surface limiting the advanced position of the knocking-over bar connected to the vertical bar 328, as is desirable for the welt-turn. Owing to this advancing or laying-out of the knocking-over bar, it is possible would become necessary, if the knocking-over i bar cannot be advanced and the needles are advanced to a substantial extent;

When during a standstill of the machine, the

lever 346 is lifted into the position shown in dash and dotl linesv in Fig. 16, the pin 338 will snap into the second recess 350 acting as an abutting surface for limiting a still farther advanced position of the knocking-over bar. Such a farther advanced position of the knocking-over bar per.-

mits an easy access to the knocking-over bits in case one or the other of them has to be replaced and eliminates the necessity to remove the entire knocking-over bar from the machine in such a case.

Upon a return of the lever 346 into the position shown in Fig. l5, the hookand pin connection 385, 338 becomes automatically re-engaged and the machine is ready for further operation.

When the welt-turn is completed and the ma- I chine is re-started for knitting fabric, the drawing-off of the fabric 3|2 is performed by the hooks 218 attached to the straps 65. The weltrod 306 remains engaged with the fabric 3|2 remains engaged with the fabric 8I2 and is drawn onto the take-up reel, whereupon it turns Iwith the take-up reel and the fabric is wound on the take-up reel and around the welt-rod 386 in the manner illustrated by Fig. 17

The operation of the machine is as follows:

Prior to the start ofthe knitting machine, weltbars 252 are taken from suitable brackets (not shown) and are placed on the supporting elements 248 in each section of the machine. Each welt-bar is placed between gripping portions of the sliding elements 258 which are in the position shown in Figs. ll and 13. Furthermore, weltrods 306 are taken from suitable brackets (not shown) and are placed in each section of the machine onto the holding arms 288 oi' the holding elements 285, which are in the position shown in Figs. 1l.v and 13 so as to hold the welt-rods 386 in the position shown in Fig. 13.

The locking latch |36 (see Fig. 5) is inthe locking position shown in full lines in said Fig. 5, whereby the locking shaft |46 is prevented'from rotation in the direction of the arrow F. Consequently, the rollers 214 (see Figs. 11 and 14) connected to one end of the straps |64 are-likewise prevented from rotation in the direction of the arrow F, and the take-up shaft I 56 connected to the other ends of the straps |64 through the medium of the collars |62 is prevented from'rotation in the direction of the arrow D. When the knitting machine is started for operation, the' locking latch |56 (Fig. 5) controlled by the controlling cam il!) remains in its locking position.

At the beginning of a knitting cycle, a button vi2 (see Fig. 2) on the pattern chain i8 rendersthe actuating drive 66, 82, 88 of the pushing elements |06 active, so that the latter are swung into the position |86 shown in dash and dot lines in Fig. 11, whereby the sliding elements 258 with the welt-bar 252 are pushed into the advancedhook-up position 258'. As soonas, kduring theknitting of the first course, the fabricI has been hooked up to the Welt-hooks 2i!) of the welt-bar 252, the pushing elements |85 are returned by the actuating drive 66, 82, 88 into their original position shown in full lines in Figs. 2 and 1l, whereby they become disengaged from the sliding elementsA 258A now under the actionJ `of the tension springs 260; immediately thereafter, the actuating drive 65, 82, isrendered ineffective owing to a control by the pattern chain lill and remains ineffective during the entirev knitting cycle, so that the pushing elements |68 remain in the full line position shown in Figs. Zand 11.

Furthermore, at the beginning of the knitting cycle, preferably during the knitting of the first course, the releasing element |54 of the take-up drive (see Figs.6 and 8) is automatically returned bythe controlling cam H2 (see Fig. 2) from its releasing position |515 (see Figs. 6 and 8) into the position shown in full lines in said Figs. 6 and 8 whereby the spring-loaded actuating pawl |12 and locking pawl |94 are automatically brought into engagement with teeth of the ratchet wheel |58. Thus, as soon as, at the beginning of :a knitting cycle, the releasing element 54 is in the position shownl in full lines in Figs. 6 and 8, the ratchet wheel I58-is advanced step bystep. This step by step rotation of the ratchet wheel |68, however, does not-result in a rotation of the takeup shaft |56 and take-up reel |60 in the direction of the arrow D, as, at this time, the locking shaft |46 (Fig. 1.1).isstill locked; the step by step rotation of the ratchet wheel |68 causes at this time onlya tensioning of the torsion spring |10 (see "1) interposed between the ratchet wheel |68 and the setV collar,` |66. Consequently, thefstraps |61i carrying the hooks 278 remain in the position shown in Fig. l1.

Therefore, at the beginning of theknitting cycle, the fabric hooked up to the hooks of the welt-bar 252is drawn o merely by said welt-bar 252 under the action of the tension springs 250 acting cnthesliding elements 258.

As soon as the edge 38- 8 of the welt-bar 252 (see Fig. 13) reaches the spring-loaded releasing lever 288 near the end of the drawing-oil' period by the welt-bar 252, theholding elements 286 holding the welt-rods 386 are tilted about their pivots .282, so that the welt-rods 386 drop from their po'- sition above the fabric onto the latter-and become lengaged .with the guiding channell (see Fig.

14).; Thereafter, and preferably shortly before ,i

the welt-bar2'52 reaches its end position shown in Fig. 14, the locking latch |81B'(Fig. 5) is automatically brought into the releasing position |36 by the controlling cam lill. Now, the previously tensioned torsion spring Il!) (see Fig. 7) may 'cause a sudden rotation of the take-up shaft |516 the drawing-01T of the fabric is caused by the take-up drive shown in Figs. 6-8 through the medium of the straps |54, hooks 278 and welt-rod 386.

After a certain period of time the machine is automatically stopped for the performance of a welt-turn as described above in connection with Fig. 16. As may be gathered from said Fig. 16, the welt-bar 252 is held by the holding guides `I6 of the brackets 230 in such a position, .that

153 it does not interfere withrthe points of the narrowing fingers '354 and the welt-turn may be performed without lifting the narrowing machine carrying the narrowing fingers.

After the performance of said welt-turn, the welt-bars 252 now free from fabric, are removed from the holding guides 3I6 and placed in a bracket or the like on the machine for keeping same there during the further knitting operation.

When the knitting machine is restarted for the completion of the knitting cycle, the fabric 3I2 is drawn olf by the take-up drive applying a tension-to the straps |54 gripping the welt-rod 305 engaged with the fabric 3 I 2 by means of the hooks 21'8. At the beginning, the welt-rod 306 is guided by the guiding channels 3|4. Later on, the weltrod reaches the take-up reel |60 and is turned 4around with the take-up reel |60, so that the fabric 3I2 is wound on the take-up reel as indicated by Fig. 17.

During the knitting of a stocking blank, the tension applied to the take-up reel |60 by the take-up drive is automatically regulated in the manner described above by an adjustment of the tension of the actuating spring |80 (Figs. 2, 6, 9 and 10) in dependence on the position of the carrier spindle nut 202 and, consequently, in dependence on the Width of the fabric knitted.

At the end of a knitting cycle, preferably during' the pressing-off of the fabric, the controlling cam I I (see Fig. 5) is advanced so thatv the cam follower I |8 may come into engagement with the dwell of said controlling cam IIU as shown in fun lines in Fig. 5. Thus, the mechanism Hs,

|22, |26, |32 is returned into'the position shown in full lines in Fig. 5 so thatthe locking latch |36 may be returned towards the locking collar |44 by the action of the spring |40. Thus, the

locking latch I36 is made ready for a locking action and may snap into the notch |42 of the locking collar |44 when the latter is brought into a position opposite the nose of the locking latch |36 at the beginning of the next knitting cycle.

Furthermore, likewise, at the end of a knitting cycle andpreferably simultaneously'with above described actuation of the mechanism |I8, |22, |23, |32 associated with the locking latch |36, the releasing element |54 of the take-updrive (see Fig. 6) is automatically brought into the releasing position |54 by an actuation of the connecting rod in the direction of the arrow C by means of the controlling cam I I2. Thus, the actuating pawl |12 and locking pawl |94 are automatically disengaged from teeth ofthe ratchet Wheel |68. Therefore, when the machine is stopped, the fabric may be readily wound off from the take-up reel which now is free for rota-` tion in the direction of the arrow E.

In order to wind off the fabric from the takeup reel, a handle 352 keyed to the locking shaft |46 (see Figs. l, 12 and 13) is rotated in the direction of the arrow G. This rotation may be carried out although the mechanism I8, |22, |26, |32 associated with the locking latch |36 is in the position shown in Fig. 5.

Owing to the shape of the notch |42 of the looking collar |44, the locking latch |36 may 'snap in and out of the notch when the locking shaft |45 and locking collar |44 are rotated in the direction of the arrow G by means of the handle 352.

When the fabric is wound off from the take-up reel, the machine is .ready Vfor a new knitting i6 cyclet as the locking latch |36 will prevent the locking shaft |46 from a rotation in the direction of the arrow F, as soon as at the beginning of the new knitting cycle the vnose of the locking latch is brought into engagement with the notch |42 of the locking collar |44l after a slight rotation of the locking rshaft |46 by means of the handle 352 (Fig. 1) in the direction of the arrow F v(Fig. 5).

I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention, but it is understood that numerous changes Vand omissions may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention set forth in the appended claims.

For example, the invention may also be applied to a straight bar knitting machine having more than two sections. f

Furthermore, equivalent mechanisms and controls may be substituted for the mechanisms and controls shown and described.

What I claim is:

l. In a straight bar knitting machine, the combination of: awelt-bar having a series of welthooks, welt-bar actuating means arranged for engaging said welt-bar and for causing `the latter during a predetermined period at the beginning of a knitting cycle to draw-off fabric hooked up to its welt-hooks, holding means capable of receiving and holding a welt-rod, said holding means being mounted on said knitting machine remote from said welt-bar, automatic releasing means arranged for releasing at a predetermined interval said'welt-rod from said holding means so as to cause an engagement of said welt-rod with the fabric. movable take-up means; a take-up drive associated 'with said take-up means for actuating same, and automatic means forY effecting at a predetermined interval a connection of said welt-rod with said take-up means after its engagement with the fabric whereby the drawing-oir of the fabric is automatically transferred from thewelt-bar to said take-up means.

2. In a straight bar knitting machine as claimed in claim 1, said welt-rod releasing means being in the path of a member of the assembly including the welt-bar and welt-bar actuating means, and said welt-rod being arranged for actuation by said member of the assembly substantially at the end of said predetermined period of drawing-off of the fabric by the welt-bar.

3. In a straight bar knitting machine as claimed in claim 1, movable engaging means capable of engagement with said welt-bar, said welt-bar actuating means being associated with said movable engaging means for actuating same, and said welt-rod releasing means being in the path of a member of the welt-bar-engaging means assembly and being arranged for actuation by said member of said assembly substantially at the end of said predetermined period of drawing-off of the faric by the welt-bar.

4. In a straight bar knitting machine as claimed in claim l, movable engaging means capable of engagement with said welt-bar, said welt-bar actuating means being associated with said movable engaging means for actuating same, and said Welt-rod releasing means being in the path of said welt-bar and being arranged for actuation by the latter substantially at the end of said predetermined period of drawing-off of the fabric by the welt-bar.v

5. A straight bar knitting machine comprising: movable engaging means capable of engagement with a welt-bar having a series of welt-hooks,

resilient means connected to said engaging means, a pushing mechanism associated with said engaging means for pushing same towards the needles of the machine into a hook-up position, tensioning at the same time said resilient means and holding said engaging means during a predetermined period in said hook-up position, means associated with said pushing mechanism for rendering same inactive after a hook-up of the fabric to the welt-hooks of the welt-bar has taken place so as to cause a'drawing-off of the fabric by the welt-bar through the medium of the previously tensioned resilient means being now released for urging the engaging means away from the needles into a predetermined end position, holding means capable of receiving and holding a welt-rod, releasing means for releasing upon its actuation said welt-rod from said holding means so as to cause an engagement of said welt-rod with the fabric, said releasing means being in the path of a member of the welt-bar-engaging means assembly and being arranged fcr actuation by said member of said assembly substantially at the end ofthe movement of the latter away from the needles, movable take-up means, a take-up drive associated with said take-up means for actuating same, and automatic means for causing at a predetermined interval a connection of said welt-rod engaged with the fabric with said take-up means whereby the drawing off of the fabric is automatically transferred from the welt-bar to said take-up means.

6. In a straight bar knitting machine as claimed in claim 5, said pushing mechanism including movable pushing means capable of engagement with said welt-bar engaging means, and an automatic drive associated with said pushing means for causing same to push said welt-bar engaging means towards the needles and to holdsame subsequently in the hook-up position and for disengaging said pushing means from said welt-bar engaging means so as to permit the resilient means to urge the welt-bar engaging means away from the needles.

7. In a straight bar knitting machine as claimed in claim 5, said holding means being movable, a load acting on said holding means for keeping same in a position wherein it may hold the welt-rod above the fabric, said releasing means being coupled with said holding means so as to move same upon its actuation against 'the action of said load into a position wherein the welt-rod may drop from said holding means onto the fabric.

8. In a straight bar knitting machine, the combination of: a welt-bar having a series of welthooks, welt-bar actuating means arranged for engaging said welt-bar and for causing the latter during a predetermined period at the beginning of a knitting cycle to draw-olf fabric hooked up to its welt-hooks, holding means c-apable of means after its engagement with the fabric whereby the drawing-off of the fabric is automatically transferred from the welt-bar to said take-up reel.

9. In a straight bar knitting machine, the combination of: a welt-bar having a series of welthooks, welt-bar actuating means arranged for engaging said welt-bar and for causing the latter during a predetermined period at the beginning of a knitting cycle to draw-off fabric hooked up to its welt-hooks, holding means capable of receiving and holding a welt-rod, said holding means being mounted on said knitting machine remote from said welt-bar, automatic releasing means arranged for releasing at a predetermined interval said welt-rod from said holding means so as to cause an engagement of said welt-rod with the fabric, a power-driven rotatable takeup reel, a pair of flexible straps, a gripping element secured to each strap, each strap being positively connected to said take-up reel, and automatic means for causing at a predetermined interval a connection of said welt-rod engaged with the fabric with said gripping means whereby the drawing-off of the fabric is automatically transferred from the welt-bar to said take-up reel.

l0. In a straight bar knitting machine, the combination of a welt-bar having a series of welt-hooks, welt-bar actuating means arranged for engaging said welt-bar and for causing the latter during a predetermined period at the beginning of a knitting cycle to draw-off fabric hooked up to its welt-hooks, holding means capable of receiving and holding a welt-rod, said holding means being mounted on said knitting machine remote from said welt-bar, automatic releasing means arranged for releasing at a predetermined interval said welt-rod from said holding means so as to cause an engagement of said welt-rod with the fabric, movable take-up means, gripping means connected with said take-up means, said gripping means being disengaged from said welt-rod when the latter is received by said holding means, a take-up drive associated with said take-up means for actuating same, and automatic means for rendering effective said take-up drive at a predetermined interval after the release of said welt-rod so as to bring said originally disengaged gripping means into engagement with said welt-rod after the engagement of the latter with the fabric whereby the drawing-off of the fabric is automatically transferred from the welt-bar to said take-up means.

1l. In a straight bar knitting machine, the

combination with welt-bar actuating means ar-` ranged for causing during a predetermined period at the beginning of a knitting cycle the drawing-olf of fabric hooked up to welt-hooks of a welt-bar by such a welt-bar engaged with said welt-bar actuating means; of holding means capable of receiving and holding a welt-rod, automatic releasing means arranged for releasing at a predetermined interval said welt-rod from said holding means so as to cause an engagement of said welt-rod with the fabric, a rotatable takeup reel, a pair of exible straps, a gripping element secured to each strap, a pair of series of rollers, each strap being engaged with a series of rollers and being positively connected to said take-up reel, a take-up drive associated with said take-up reel for actuating saine, and automatic means for rendering effective said takeup drive at a predetermined interval after the assenso i9 release of said weit-rod so as to bring said gripping elements secured to the straps connected to the take-up reel into engagement with said welt-rod engaged with the fabric whereby the drawing-off of the fabric is automatically transferred from the welt-bar to said take-up reel.

12. In a straight bar knitting machine, the combination of: a welt-bar having a series of welt-hooks, welt-bar actuating means arranged for engaging said welt-bar and for causing the latter during a predetermined period at the beginning of a knitting cycle to draw-off fabric hooked up to its welt-hooks, holding means capable of receiving and holding a welt-rod, said holding means being mounted on said knitting machine remote from said weit-bar, automatic releasing means arranged for releasing at a predetermined interval said welt-rod from said holding means so as to cause an engagement of said welt-rod with the fabric, movable take-up means, a take-up drive, a spring, said take-up drive being coupled with said take-up means through the medium of said spring, gripping means connected with said take-up means, locking means capable of looking and releasing said take-up means, and automatic controlling means associated with said locking means for holding same in its locking position during the drawingoff of the fabric by the welt-bar and for bringing saine into its releasing position at a predetermined interval after the release of said weltrod so as to permit an actuation of said take-up means by said spring and said take-up drive whereby said gripping means connected with said take-up means are brought into engagement with said welt-rod engaged with the fabric and the drawing-off of the fabric is automatically transferred from the welt-bar to said take-up means.

13. In a straight bar knitting machine as claimed in claim 12, said automatic controlling means being arranged for returning said locking means into its locking position substantially at the end of a knitting cycle.

14. In a straight bar knitting machine, th combination with welt-bar actuating means arranged for causing during a predetermined period at the beginning of a knitting cycle the drawing-off of fabric hooked up to welt-hooks of a welt-bar by such a Welt-bar engaged with said welt-bar actuating means; of holding means capable of receiving and holding a welt-rod, automatic releasing means arranged for releasing at a predetermined interval said welt-rod from said holding means so as to cause an engagement of said welt-rod with the fabric, a ro- ,tatable take-uprreel, a take-up drive, a spring,

said take-up drive being coupled with said takeup reel through the medium of said spring, a pair of exible straps, a gripping element secured to each strap, a pair of series of rollers, a rotatable shaft, a roller of each series of rollers being secured to said shaft, each strap being engaged with a series of rollers and being positively connected to said take-up reel and to the roller secured to said shaft, locking means capable of locking and releasing said shaft, and automatic controlling means associated with said locking means for holding same in its locking position during the drawing-oir of the fabric by the welt-bar and for bringing same into its releasing position at a predetermined interval after the release of said welt-rod so as to permit an actuation of said take-up reel by said spring and said take-up drive whereby said gripping elements secured to the straps connected to the take-up reel and to the released shaft are brought into engagement with said welt-rod engaged with the fabric and the drawing-off of the fabric is automatically transferred from the weltbar to said take-up reel.

15. In a straight bar knitting machine, the combination of: a welt-bar having a series of welt-hooks, welt-bar actuating means arranged for engaging said welt-bar and for causing the latter during a predetermined period at the beginning of a knitting cycle to draw-off fabric hooked up to its welt-hooks and to be held in its position thereafter, holding means capable of receiving and holding a welt-rod above the fabric, said holding means being mounted on the knitting machine remote from said weit-bar, automatic releasing means arrangedY for releasing at a predetermined interval said welt-rod from said holding means so as to cause same to drop onto the fabric, guiding means arranged for engagement with the released welt-rod, movabie take-up means, a take-up drive associated with said takeup means for actuating s-ame, and automatic means for causing at a predetermined interval a connection of saidwelt-rod with said take-up means so that the latter displaces said welt-rod, said guiding` means being shaped so as to guide said welt-rod during its displacement below and under the welt-bar held in its position whereby the fabric is looped around the welt-rod and the drawing-off of the fabric is automatically transferred from the welt-bar to said take-up means.

le. In a straight bar knitting machine, the combination of a welt-bar having a series of welt-hooks, welt-bar actuating means arranged for engaging said welt-bar and for causing the latter during a predetermined period at the beginning of a knitting cycle to draw-off fabric hooked up toits welt-hooks and to be held in its positionfthereafter, holding means capable of receiving and holding a welt-rod above the fabric, said holding means being mounted on the knitting machine Y remote from said welt-bar, automatic releasing means arranged for releasing at a predetermined interval said welt-rod from said holding means so as to cause same to drop onto the fabric, guiding means arranged for engagement with the released welt-rod, movable take-up means, gripping means connected with said take-up means, a take-up drive associated with said take-upvrneans for actuating same, and automatic means for rendering effective said take-up drive at a predetermined interval after the release of said welt-rod so as to bring said gripping means connected with said take-up means into engagement with said weltrod for displacing same, said guiding means being shaped so as to guide said welt-rod during its displacement below and under the welt-bar held in its position whereby the fabric is looped around the welt-rod and the drawing-off of the fabric is automatically transferred from the weltbar to said take-up means.

17. In a straight bar knitting machine, the combination of a welt-bar having a series of welt-hooks, welt-bar actuating means arranged for engaging said'welt-bar and for causing the latter during a predetermined period at the beginning of a knitting cycle to draw-off fabric hooked up to its Welt-hooks and to be held in its position thereafter, holding means capable of receiving and holding a welt-rod above the fabric, said holding means being mounted on the knitting machine remote from said Welt-bar.

21 automatic releasing means arranged for releasing at a predetermined interval said welt-rod from said holding means so as to cause same to drop onto the fabric, guiding means arranged for engagement with the released Weit-rod, movable take-up means, a take-up drive, a spring, said take-up drive being coupled with said take-up means through the medium of said spring, gripping means connected with said take-up means, locking means capable of locking and releasing said take-up means, and automatic controlling means associated with said locking means for holding same in its locking position during the drawing-off of the fabric by the welt-bar and for bringing same into its releasing position at i,

a predetermined interval after the release of said welt-rod so as to permit an actuation of said take-up means by said spring and said take-up drive whereby said gripping means connected with said take-up means are brought into eni gagement with said welt-rod for displacing same, said guiding means being shaped so as to guide said Welt-rod during its displacement below and.

under the welt-bar held in its position whereby the fabric is looped around the welt-rod and the drawing-off of the fabric is automatically transferred from the welt-bar to said take-.up means. 18. In a straight bar knitting machine as -claimed in claim 17, said automatic controlling means being arranged for returning said locking means into its locking position substantially at the end of a knitting cycle.

19. In a straight bar knitting machine, the combination with welt-bar actuating means arranged for causing during a predetermined period at the beginning of a knitting cycle the drawing-off of fabric hooked up to welt-hooks of a Welt-bar by such a welt-bar engaged with said welt-bar actuating means; of holding means capable of receiving and holding a welt-rod above the fabric, automatic releasing means arranged` for releasing at a predetermined interval said welt-rod from said holding means so as to cause same to drop onto the fabric, guiding means arranged for engagement with the released weltrod, a rotatable take-up reel, a take-up drive, a spring, said take-up drive being coupled with said take-up reel through the medium of said spring, a pair of `iiexible straps, a gripping element secured to each strap, a pair of series of rollers, a rotatable shaft, a roller of each series of rollers being secured to said shaft, each strap being engaged with a series of rollers and being positively connected to said take-up reel and to the roller secured to said shaft, locking means capable of locking and releasing said shaft, and automatic controlling means associated with said locking means for holding same in its locking position during the drawing-off of the fabric by the Welt-bar and for bringing same into its releasing position at a predetermined interval after the release of said Welt-rod so as to permit an actuation of said take-up reel by said spring and said take-up drive whereby said gripping elements secured `to the straps connected to the take-up reel and to the released shaft are brought into engagement with said Welt-rod for displacmovable engaging'means capable of engagement -`with said welt-bar, resilient means connected to said engaging means, a pushing mechanism associated with said engaging means for pushing same towards the needles of the machine into a hook-up position, tensioning at the same time said resilient means and holding said engaging means during a predetermined period in said hook-up position, means associated with said pushing mechanismfor rendering same inactive after a hook-up of the fabric to the welt-hooks of thewelt-bar has taken place so as to cause a drawing-off of the fabric by the welt-bar through the medium of the previously ,-tensioned resilient means being now released for urging the engaging lmeans away from the needles into a predetermined end position, holding means capable of receiving and holding a welt-rod above the plane of the fabric, said holding means being mounted on the knitting machine remote from said welt-bar, automatic releasing means arranged for releasing at a predetermined interval said welt-rod from said holding means so as to cause a dropping thereof onto the fabric, movable take-up means, welt-rod gripping means connected with said take-up means, said Welt rod gripping means being disengaged from said weltrod when the latter is received by said holdmg means, a take-up drive associated with said takeup means for actuating same, automatic means for rendering effective said take-up drive at a predetermined interval after the release of said welt-rod whereby said originally disengaged weltrod gripping means are brought into engagement with said welt-rod for moving same away from the needles, and means arranged for cooperation with the thus moved welt-rod for causing a gripping engagement between the welt-rod and'the fabric so as to cause a further drawing-off of the fabric by the take-up means actuated by the take-up drive.

21. A method for the operation of a straight bar :hitting machine comprising the steps of: drawing-off the fabric by a welt-bar during a predetermined period at the beginning of a knitting cycle, engaging automatically a Welt-rod with the fabric substantially at the end of said welt-bar drawing-off period, tensioning drawingoff means of a take-up drive during said welt-bar drawing-off period while holding same disengaged from said welt-rod, thereafter releasing said pre-tensioned drawing-off means by effecting an automatic connection of said drawing-on" means with said welt-rod, stopping the knitting machine, performing a welt-turn, restarting thereafter the knitting machine, and continuing the drawing-off of the fabric by said take-up drive.

22. A method for the operation of a straight bar knitting machine comprising the steps of: drawing-off the fabric by a Welt-bar during a predetermined period at the beginning of a knitting cycle, locking a take-up drive during said welt-bar drawing-ofi period, engaging automatically a Welt-rod with the fabric substantially at the end of said welt-bar drawing-off period, automaticallyireleasing thereafter said take-up drive, connecting said welt-rod with gripping means of said take-up drive, drawing-oit` the fabric by said take-up drive, stopping the knitting machine, performing a manual welt-turn, and restarting thereafter the knitting machine and continuing the drawing-ofi of the fabric by said take-up drive.

23. A method for thel operation of a straight 

